House leaders affirm commitment to deliberative approach in legislated wage hike

LEADERS of the House of Representatives reassured the public on Thursday of their unwavering commitment to crafting a comprehensive and enduring solution to the pressing issue of legislated wage hike.

In a press conference, House Deputy Majority Leaders Faustino “Inno” Dy (Isabela, 6th District) and Jude Acidre (Tingog Party-list), and Assistant Majority Leader Maria Amparo “Pammy” Zamora underscored the importance of adhering to a thorough process, particularly for such a complex issue of wage increase.

“There’s clearly a process specially for something as difficult to tackle as the wage increase. Alam naman po natin siyempre sa dami po ng problemang kinakaharap po ng ating mga kababayan ay dapat talagang makita natin kung ano ‘yung tamang solusyon lalong-lalo na sa pag-increase po ng kanilang mga wages,” Dy said.

Dy highlighted the multitude of challenges confronting citizens, underscoring the necessity of identifying the most appropriate solution, particularly concerning wage increases. 

“The House is currently in the process of undergoing committee hearings. Ito po ay dumadaan sa tamang proseso, pinapakinggan po natin lahat ng ating mga stakeholders, lahat po ng mga labor organizers, mga unyon at iba pa para maka-arrive po tayo sa mas maganda at mas sustainable na solusyon para po sa ating mga manggagawa,” Dy said.

The House Committee on Labor and Employment is presently engaged in deliberations on several bills advocating for across-the-board wage hikes for private sector workers. These proposals include a P150 daily minimum wage increase, surpassing the P100 raise approved by the Senate in February.

Zamora assured the public that the House will not relent in its efforts regarding the proposed wage increase.

She said the House will adhere to the desire of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to raise the wages of the Filipino people. 

“Basta sinisiguro ng House of Representatives, lalo na ‘yung Committee on Labor and Employment, na hindi po namin titigilan ‘yung mga nakalagay na mga panukala dito sa amin at susundin namin ang kagustuhan ng Presidente na tumaas ang wage ng sambayanang Pilipino,” Zamora said.

For his part, Acidre welcomed the President’s directive to wage boards to review minimum wages in different regions across the country, viewing it as an indication of the government’s attentiveness to the needs of the Filipino people. 

"Natutuwa po tayo po ano na nandoon po yung instruction ng Presidente sa mga wage boards na i-review ang ating mga minimum wage lalo na sa mga regions ano," Acidre said.

He continued, “And I think that’s an indication na nakikinig po ang ating gobyerno, nakikinig po ang ating Pangulo at kahit naman ho dito sa Kongreso habang tinatalakay natin ‘yung mga batas na nagpu-push for a legislated wage hike eh patuloy tayong kumakalap ng mga samu’t saring opinion lalong-lalo na sa ibang mga sector na may kaugnayan tungkol sa labor at sa ating mga employers."

Acidre emphasized the need for careful consideration in pursuing wage hikes, particularly during economic challenges that may affect the capacity of businesses to absorb increased labor costs.

"Ang gusto lang ho natin eh maging maingat tayo, hindi maging padalos-dalos sapagkat magiging sensitibo po ang usapin ng wage hike lalong-lalo na sa mga panahon na hindi rin ganoon kaganda ang ating ekonomiya na ‘yung capacity nito to absorb the added cost ng labor," Acidre said. 

“Hindi naman ho natin sinasabi na hindi na siya option sa ngayon, pero ang ginagawa ho natin ay makinig sa lahat ho ng mga sector na involved, lalung-lalo na kase habang gusto man natin na guminhawa ang buhay ng ating mga manggagawa, tumaas ang sweldo ng ating mga manggagawa ay gusto din naman natin na hindi magsara ang ating mga negosyo at hindi rin maapektuhan ang kakayahan ng ating mga employer na makapagbigay ng saktong trabaho sa ating mga kababayan,” he added. (END)

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